What are Kashan’s souvenirs? From Kashan rugs to Delicious Kashan Distillates
Kashan, a small and charming city near Isfahan, is reminiscent of the scent and colors of roses and rosewater just by hearing its name.
The history and culture of this small city are filled with stories to tell. Wherever you turn, whether it’s a historic house or a colorful market full of delicacies and fragrant flavors, you’ll find something intriguing. It’s a pity to visit Kashan and miss out on its exquisite souvenirs.
Whether you’re a fan of sweets, want to bring rosewater and flowers for your grandmother, or seek an authentic and special piece of art, Kashan, with its artistic people, won’t disappoint you. Join us to explore the novelties this city has to offer, full of color and aroma.
Baghlava (Baklava) from Kashan
You’ll hear about this pastry wherever you go in Iran. This sweet is not exclusive to Kashan but is also made in other cities like Yazd and Kerman. However, in Kashan, with its rosewaters scenting every corner of the intricate alleys, this pastry has a different taste and flavor. After a full day of touring gardens and historic mansions, only Baghlava from Kashan with tea can soothe your tiredness and prepare you for another adventurous day.
These pastries are divided into different categories based on the nuts used in them. The most famous ones are walnut, pistachio, and almond baghlavas.
If you’ve tried baghlava from any other city, don’t easily forget Kashan’s culinary souvenir. It’s an exceptional choice for remembering Kashan and all its scents and colors.
Rosewater
Rosewater is one of the things we Iranians extensively use; it holds a special place in our foods, sweets, and halvas. In every Iranian household, you can find at least one bottle of rosewater. Now, what better opportunity than traveling to Kashan to acquire the best rosewater in Iran? Kashan is the capital of rosewater in Iran. It doesn’t matter when you visit Kashan; the best quality rosewater can be found there anytime you wish.
Rosewater has numerous medicinal and health benefits. It is soothing and gives a unique scent and flavor to foods and sweets. You can also use it as a cleanser and brightener for the skin. If you’re visiting Kashan, make sure to also explore the villages of Qamsar and Niasar. Rosewater distillation ceremonies take place in these two villages from early April to mid-June. Even if you miss out on the rosewater distillation, don’t worry. This city won’t disappoint you in this regard. Our suggestion is to travel to Kashan during the rosewater distillation season as much as possible because during this time, you can buy rosewater with more confidence in its naturalness.
It goes without saying that if you go to Kashan and don’t buy rosewater as a souvenir of this city, it’s as if you haven’t visited Kashan at all!
Surely, in your walk around the Fin Garden in Kashan, you can find numerous rosewater shops.
Kashan Rosewater has international fame
Mohammadi Rose Buds
You’ve surely seen these colorful and glossy rosebuds on yellow rice. The scent of Mohammadi roses also comes from these buds. It’s strange in the city of flowers and rosewater if you can’t find this item among Kashan souvenirs. Mohammadi rose buds are one of Kashan’s popular souvenirs.
In addition to decorating rice or yogurt with cucumbers, it is also used in various herbal teas. It’s true that you can now find these buds in any herbalist, but buying them from their homes and origins has a different atmosphere. Rosewater in one hand and dried roses, which are the source of that rosewater, in the other hand. These two combinations are very lovely for giving souvenirs to your loved ones. So, don’t ruin the atmosphere of your trip with the excuse that you can find these things elsewhere.
Kashan Herbal Distillates
Thyme Distillate
Thyme distillate has a warm nature and is one of the herbal distillates with numerous medicinal and therapeutic properties. According to the recommendation of a knowledgeable person, you can use it.
Lavender Distillate
This one also has a warm nature and is said to be beneficial for relieving headaches or promoting restful sleep.
Bergamot Distillate
It’s interesting to note that bergamot is the same as tangerine or bitter orange, and this herbal distillate is also derived from this fruit. Among the properties of this herbal distillate, one can mention strengthening the immune system and reducing inflammation.
Chamomile Distillate
Chamomile distillate is obtained from the herb of the same name. Its soothing properties are also very useful for the skin and hair.
Eucalyptus Distillate
This one is very suitable for colds and cough relief.
Kashan Cookies
In Iran, it seems that the name of every city comes next to its cookie. Kashan cookies are reminiscent of old times. A pastry with a history and city traditions. From ancient times, these cookies were used for serving during Nowruz and gatherings.
But this cookie is different from what you probably have in mind. Kashan cookies don’t contain nuts. They are baked with whole wheat bran flour. According to the old tradition, cardamom, rosewater, etc., are used to flavor it.
For decoration, powdered pistachios are used, and for baking, vegetable or animal oil is used. By the way, if you’re not a fan of overly sweet pastries, we’ll give you the good news that these cookies are not very sweet.
Moreover, they don’t go bad or spoil easily. So, by choosing the type baked with animal oil and without worrying about excessive sweetness or spoiling, you can get as many as you want of them as souvenirs.
Kashan Snacks
Pashmak (Cotton Candy) from Kashan
We cannot talk about Kashan without mentioning Pashmak. It may seem like cotton candy is a treat specifically for children. But for the people of Kashan, this is entirely different.
They enjoy their cookies with Pashmak. It’s decorated in elegant copper containers and is one of the fixed items on their Sofreh Haft Sin. So, Pashmak is one of the important souvenirs of Kashan.
If you’re unsure what souvenir to buy for children, Kashan Pashmak can be the best choice. Rest assured, when you give this souvenir to children, you’ll see a big smile of satisfaction on their faces.
If you want to bring an authentic Kashan souvenir, get Pashmak and cookies together!
Haji Badam Kashan (Almond Candies)
These small and tasty almond candies! They’re easy to eat and easy to carry. You’ll find plenty of these sweets in every Kashani household.
They are fantastic for rewarding children and also make excellent souvenirs and gifts. The ingredients of Haji Badam consist of almond powder, powdered sugar, walnut, and chickpea flour. This is also one of Kashan’s less sweet pastries.
Enjoying these delicious almond candies with tea is one of the best afternoon delights in Kashan. Trust us, if you travel to Kashan, you can get as many of these delightful souvenirs as you want!
Abbas Ali Bread from Kashan
Abbas Ali bread is one of the traditional and delicious breads of the city. But what’s the story behind the name of this bread? Abbas Ali bread is a traditional bread made from milk, sugar, flour, turmeric, and saffron. On ordinary days of the year, when you’re looking for this bread, you’ll find it in shops under the names of milk bread or sweet bread. The reason this bread has become known as Abbas Ali bread is that the people of Kashan bake it at the beginning of the first decade of Muharram and distribute it among the people as a vow. Abbas Ali is a combination of two names, Abbas and Ali, which is placed on this bread in honor of Imam Abu al-Fadl.
Kashan Souvenirs and Handicrafts
Kashan Carpets (kashan rugs )
One of Iran’s unparalleled products is its carpets. The designs and patterns found in them are unmatched anywhere else in the world. This time, we’re in a city that produces 70% of the country’s machine-made carpets. Kashan carpets are woven so delicately and artistically that they’re listed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage. Natural colors and silk threads are used for weaving these carpets. All this sensitivity in the materials used, the selection of suitable patterns and colors, and the love for weaving have made them the most famous carpets in Iran.
Kashan carpets are a very, very special souvenir from this city, usually part of the choice for non-Iranian tourists who want to take a piece of Iran back to their country.
One of the features that distinguishes Kashan carpets from carpets of other cities is its unique and special designs and patterns. Various patterns are used in weaving these carpets. These patterns are either natural patterns like flowers, leaves, and plants, or inspired by Iranian mythical stories.
Kashan Kilims and Jajims
Kilims and jajims are also among the woven souvenirs of Kashan, which are not as expensive as Kashan carpets, but their vibrant colors and beautiful designs add elegance to your home. Kashan kilims are handwoven using wool. Jajims are also underlays that are without piles. Both kilims and jajims have special designs like Islamic natural patterns. When these designs are combined with special and mesmerizing colors of threads, they produce an extraordinary product.
Zilou Weaving in Kashan
During the hot and dry days of summer, Zilou comes to the aid of the people of Kashan and the south. Zilou is a type of carpet woven from cool cotton threads.
The most peculiar and at the same time artistic aspect of Zilous is that their designs are not predetermined.
Zilous are handwoven carpets where the weaver, based on their mood during weaving, creates the design and pattern. These carpets, like kilims, are woven from wool but differ in that kilims are woven from goat hair while Zilous are woven from cotton.
Shoerbaafi (Shoer Weaving) in Kashan
You might mistake it for poetry and literature at first, but its actual pronunciation is “Shoerbaafi.” Shoerbaafi is one of the very ancient arts of Kashan, dating back 350 years. In fact, “shoer” is a type of silk fabric.
This fabric is sold in various colors and simple or checkered patterns. Several shoer weaving workshops have remained in various parts of Kashan.
You might wonder why it’s called “Shoerbaafi.” Figuratively, human and animal hair is called “shoer.”
Shoer is also a type of silk fabric woven using a four-thread weaving machine and has a long history in Kashan and Yazd.
Shoerbaafi is a souvenir of various cities in Iran, but if you visit Kashan, consider taking a few pieces of shoer weaving as a souvenir to preserve this ancient art.
Gyveh Weaving in Kashan
Gyveh is a product of the collaboration between men and women in the villages of Kashan, although Gyveh is not exclusive to Kashan and is woven in other cities of Iran as well.
The center of Gyveh weaving in Kashan is the village of Neshlaj in the suburbs of Niasar. Gyveh consists of two parts, the bottom and the top, with men weaving the bottom and women weaving the top.
The art of Gyveh weaving, which happens to be one of Kashan’s authentic and traditional arts, has fortunately maintained its place among the people of the city, and numerous Gyveh weaving workshops can be found in Kashan and its surrounding villages.
Gyveh is actually a very comfortable slipper, so get it not only as a decoration and souvenir but also as a practical souvenir from Kashan.
Pottery in Kashan
Combining the lustrous soil of Kashan with the creative hands of its people brings forth magical and beautiful designs and patterns that encourage everyone to invest in this exquisite art.
Pottery is an ancient art that has existed for over 7,000 years. What makes pottery in Kashan fascinating for us is the knowledge that the first pottery wheel, dating back 4,500 years, was made in Kashan.
Now, tell me, would you not want to learn about this magnificent and rich history of pottery in Kashan and not miss out on one of them again?
Kashan Ceramics
Pottery in Kashan has ancient origins.
Kashi (Tile) Making in Kashan
Although Kashan is located in Isfahan Province, known for its turquoise color, the art of tile-making, with all its diverse and eye-catching designs seen in Isfahan, is also found in Kashan.
The artisans of Kashan have spared no effort in this industry. The tile-making of Kashan reflects the delicacy and precision of its artists, as seen in Kashan carpets. The turquoise colors of Kashan tiles bring a sense of tranquility that you would love to adorn a corner of your home with.
These tiles, with their every line and pattern, tell a story of Iran and its beauties. Stories of the ancient eastern land that are narrated in these lines.
Copperware in Kashan
Copperware is an ancient art in Kashan that has now been neglected. Since Kashan is an old city with a long history, the background of copperware in it also dates back to ancient times.
It’s a pity that no more attention is paid to this art. Walking in the copper market and being mesmerized by the warm and captivating colors of these utensils has its own world.
It should not be forgotten that using copper utensils for cooking has numerous benefits.
Zari (Gold Thread) Embroidery in Kashan
This is one of the very expensive souvenirs of the city, resembling the clothing of kings in the past. The fabric used in this embroidery is similar to that used for royal attire. Gold-plated silk threads are used in the warp and weft of this fabric.
Although these fabrics seem very expensive and unattainable, they are still available for purchase in the city market.
Some of the old Zari embroideries are still kept in the belongings of Kashan’s grandmothers! If you want a valuable and priceless gift and souvenir from Kashan, surely your choice should be Zari embroidery!
Where to Stay in Kashan?
First, let’s remind you that for easy and hassle-free booking, you can visit the Jabama website and view all types of accommodations available in Kashan. In a city like Kashan, where signs of Iranian authenticity and culture are seen from every corner, it’s a shame not to get acquainted with traditional accommodations. Traditional accommodations such as Yasamin Rahb, Saray-e Kasian, Saray-e Taq Cheshmeh, and Sar Cheshmeh are places that have provided a traditional atmosphere harmonious with the nature of the city for you. Although the cost of staying in these accommodations may be higher, if you have the opportunity, don’t deprive yourself of a pleasant stay in a room full of Kashan’s traditional beauties. It should also be mentioned that these accommodations are not your only choices. Depending on your taste, you can rent a hotel, suite, or apartment in Kashan.
Sightseeing in Kashan
Answering Common Questions About Kashan Souvenirs
What is the most famous souvenir of Kashan?
The most famous and popular souvenir of Kashan is rosewater.
Where can we buy rosewater and other Kashan distillates?
You can purchase rosewater and other distillates by visiting local shops or perfumeries in any other city.
